We have the upper hand, says Tiwary

Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Sourav Sarkar, who took two wickets each,
at the Eden, on Saturday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta: Manoj Tiwary feels the bowlers have helped Bengal gain the upper hand against Rajasthan on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy tie.

“We certainly have the upper hand… Our bowlers bowled a disciplined line and reaped the rewards,” the Bengal captain said after the second day’s play on Saturday.

Does he think that the sprinkling of green on the wicket encouraged the bowlers? “The weather conditions were ideal for swing bowling today. It meant enough motivation for the bowlers. These sort of pitches can help them to get wickets. If we can get them out early…”

He admitted that the wicket did come as a “surprise” to them. “It was surprising to see this sort of a wicket. There was considerable bounce and movement. We are playing with three pacers and this sort of pace-oriented wicket is an advantage for us,” Tiwary explained.

He felt Bengal are in with a chance, having reduced Rajasthan to 63 for four at close on the rain-interrupted day. “If the bowlers can continue bowling a disciplined spell then…”

Terming Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who took three wickets, as an “asset”, Tiwary didn’t wish to read too much into Ashok Dinda going wicket-less.

“Shukla is an experienced player and is a great asset… Dinda also bowled in the right areas and had a good spell,” he said.